All events included with admission to Discovery Center unless otherwise noted. General admission: $7 adults; $7 children ages 2-17; free to Discovery Center Members and children under 2.
June 15; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ready, aim, launch! Create catapults, assemble slingshots, adjust trajectories, and get ready to knock things down as we get into the science behind this physics phenomenon! Who knew science could be so fun?!
Sponsored by Williams-Manny and Cliffbreakers.
June 22; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Hold a baby barnyard animal and climb aboard the real tractor as you explore life on the farm. Construct a cornhusk doll, guess that grain and test your knowledge with the Wheel of Farming gameshow. And of course, you can visit Ag-Zibit to milk a cow, see live bees in action, drive the combine, measure an acre, and more!
June 29; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Grab your tiara or don your disguise! Assume your secret identity as your favorite superhero or princess. Choose a character from stories, or movies or invent one of your own. Come in costume and bring your imagination to enjoy games, art, crafts, and demonstrations. Grownups can play, too. Capes are optional.
Wednesday, July 4, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Experiment with explosions, launch mini rockets, construct a potato popper, and more! Invent your own light-up hat, assemble a sound sandwich, and create patriotic art. Science and art are the stars in this red white and blue day of family fun. Leave your car parked here and take the short walk downtown to the parade and fireworks.
July 6; 11:30 am - 4:00 pm
Watch professional juggler Jason Kollum and learn juggling skills from this master performer in a special workshop designed for kids. Keep your balance between performances with hands-on Discovery Center fun. Preregistration for shows and workshops recommended. Shows are 40 minutes in length; show times: 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Workshops are 30 minutes in length and geared for ages 3 and up; all are welcome; workshop space is limited. Workshop times: 12:40 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; and 2:20 p.m. Call 815-963-6769 to register.
July 13; 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Come in out of the heat for some freezing fun! Chill out with dry ice experiments, participate in liquid nitrogen demos, test for brain-freeze, create cool art, and more!
July 20; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Explore water balloon behavior and discover the science behind squirt guns during this wacky day when liquids take center stage. Experiment with drips and drops, create a physics water toy, mess with emulsions, learn to layer liquids, and get a real “feel” for viscosity. Sponsored by Aqua-Aerobic Systems.
July 27; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lace up your boots, put on your hat, and head to Discovery Center’s outdoor dinosaur quarry. Uncover a mystery, play with plaster, and get a feel for fossils. Test your knowledge of the Mesozoic in our dinosaur game show, and use your Cretacious creativity to fashion a prehistoric puppet. Touch real dinosaur bones, assemble a skeleton, talk to a paleontologist, and more! Sponsored by Henning.
August 3; 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Build it tall and build it strong! Tackle construction projects using a variety of materials including your favorite bricks. Monkey with LEGO machines and dabble in LEGO robotics. Local enthusiasts will have creations on display. Sponsored by TAC Rockford.
August 3; 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
11 and over it's your turn to play!
The Discovery Center Museum and its exhibits will be
open after dark along with Polynesian Paradise fun.
Tickets avialable at the door
$3 Members / $10 Non-Members
August 10; 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Don your Jedi robes for a Star Wars adventure! Construct your own lightsaber, master the powers of the Force, and apply your skills at the Jedi trials. Meet costumed characters, test your Star Wars knowledge, and play for prizes that would make a Neimoidian jealous! Younglings, padawans, and aliens welcome; no droids please. (We don’t serve their kind here.)
Saturday October 6
Save the Date. Details coming soon!
Saturday, October 13; 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Discovery Center invites families and children with special needs to experience Discovery Center’s multisensory exhibits and activities. Families will have the opportunity to enjoy having the museum to themselves on Saturday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Children and families can play at Discovery Center before the museum opens to the general public. Staff from the Rockford Park District’s Therapeutic Recreation Department will be on hand with help and information.
Call 815-963-6769 to make a reservation.